Lalit Modi's Himalayan link

Contrary to public perception that it all began in Rajasthan, Lalit Modi started his career in managing India's favourite sport from Himachal Pradesh.

Those familiar with the developments say he made repeated attempts to join the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) since early nineties. However, he was turned down on many occasions. But, in 1998-1999 the cash-strapped HPCA called Modi for financial support and in return made him the proxy representative of the association to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Sources in Himachal Pradesh cricketing circles say Modi had joined HPCA by offering them a "donation" of Rs 12 lakh. "He was approaching us since early nineties to take him onboard. He also tried to influence me with contacts of senior people in the BCCI and some senior politicians. However, I did not agree as it was in violation of the HPCA rules," said, Rajinder Jar, who was HPCA president between 1990 and 1995. Rajinder Jar was also vice-president, BCCI, from 1992 to 1994.

However, Modi finally got a "proxy" entry to the BCCI in 1998-99. Raghubir Singh Thakur, a former Congress MLA and the then HPCA president, allowed him to represent Himachal in the board. "He gave us a donation of Rs 12 lakh. If I remember correctly, it was in the year of 1998-99. Those were the days when even cricket associations did not have money to run their affairs. So, I don't think there was anything wrong on our part," said Thakur, who was president HPCA from 1995 to 2000.

Lalit Modi parted ways with HPCA in 2000 and joined Rajasthan Cricket Association.u00a0u00a0u00a0